6.13.2011

Using a Buying Agent BY Jackie Pressman FRPS

 

More and more buyers from the UK (or anywhere else) are mimicking the Americans and using a buying agent to find them the perfect property in their country of choice.   Very expensive in their home country but considered a wise choice because of local knowledge, ability to negotiate in line with current area prices, and the ability to find properties not usually known to be available.  It is important that these buying agents are independent and not tied to estate agents so that the advice is unbiased.
Here at French Riviera Property Search we are FREE.  We are not tied to any specific estate agency and search the market for you, including estate agents, private sellers, Auctions, Notaries, Managing Agents.  Unlike in some other countries, there is no register of available properties in France and so a buyer wastes a lot of time with many agencies and still may not find what they are looking for.   We act specifically for the buyer – please remember that ALL estate agencies here must be legally instructed by the seller.  We see this as a conflict for the agencies and it is well worthwhile to have your own representative who will search for your specification and budget and act in your best interests at all times throughout the procedure.
Importantly, unlike in the UK, WE DO NOT CHARGE A PERCENTAGE TO THE BUYER. We take our fee from the advertised price at the time of completion, so you have nothing to lose and much to gain by appointing us at the outset.  Be confident we will personally attend to your purchase with great care, irrespective of its value – in fact many of our successful purchases have been small apartments correctly located for the Cannes convention rental market – up to huge villas in the beautiful country behind the coastal towns.



It is always useful to have an honest representative here who can act in your best interest at all times and communicate with you swiftly in English – that’s me!  Also, I am often instructed to sign the first French legal document – the Compromis de Vente – on behalf of the buyer and I always ensure it is constructed with the necessary clauses in the buyer’s very best interest.
Also consider that the estate agencies here welcome us, as we know the buyer, never waste the agents’ time, and act quickly on the buyer’s behalf, locally handling everything for the buyer from the beginning to long after the final act with the Notary.
For buyers with a complex or legal situation in their country of residence, we have a roster of strategic partners who will confidentially advise in the buyers’ own language.  But, usually with the assistance of your own appointed English-speaking Notary - which I arrange for you here - there will be a free method to structure your own purchase in the best way.
We know that with the current weakness of sterling to Euros, some UK owners of French property are selling at this time as they can repatriate the euro funds back to sterling and see a good profit – so there are bargains to be had if motivated sellers can be found – and we know them.
Perhaps one of the most important aspects we can offer is knowledge of French tax laws and the way to structure your purchase in the most efficient way in accordance with your own personal circumstances – for example don’t ever make the mistake of thinking a Will can overcome the French succession laws.  And don’t make the mistake of thinking a second home here is not liable for the French wealth tax.  Many foreign buyers have the mistaken thinking this only applies to French residents, but it applies to anyone who has property in France.  Many second-home owners have ignored this to their detriment and did not structure their purchase correctly when buying.  Please remember it is an extremely costly and difficult procedure to change ownership details once you have completed your purchase and your initial 8-day reflection period is over.

For example, it may be a wise move to take a French loan.  It is invariably at a lower rate than elsewhere, and can assist in reducing your exposure to the annual French wealth tax.  Current mortgage rates are low.  Last month I obtained a mortgage for one client at 2.22% and for another at 3% interest only.
So, let us handle your purchase from beginning to end – the references on this site will assure you are in the right hands.  I offer you my long experienced personal attention and look forward to hearing from you.
Skype me on jaknburtor contact me via the website below.



To Read and Know more about RPN and view Properties for Sale on Line visit www.rivierapropertynetwork.com or our Magazine at www.riviera-property-magazine.com

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